A new stadium: Location, location, location

“A Chargers stadium here would be a game changer for the city,” Abed said in an interview. “And there is political will behind it. There is infrastructure behind it. ... It would be a huge economic impact. It would put Escondido on the national map. ... We have a lot to offer. I think North County’s time has come.”

Joe Navarro, president and CEO of the San Pasqual Casino Development Group, the development arm of the San Pasqual tribe, said he has had what he described as “very preliminary” discussions with Fabiani about the tribe’s possible interest in partnering in some way on the project.

“We wanted to see if there is some opportunity that exists that we maybe just don’t know about, or haven’t brought to the surface, using the hundreds of acres of land that the tribe owns,“ Navarro said. “Our position is really, ‘How is it that we can help? Is there some sort of deal that can be struck?’ We’d like to help out if the North County is the location. ...

“From a business perspective, we are leaning toward something in the North County. From a civic pride perspective, and as a Native American and native San Diegan, I just want to do what we can to keep them here in San Diego. Because I think once they’re gone people are really going to be sorry that they let that happen.”

Pros

• The city and the North County Transit District already own or control more than 50 acres on the site and an additional 26 acres now occupied by the Escondido Swap Meet is also said by Abed and Phillips to be available. The public ownership of much of the land, the political support of top city leaders and the possible partnership with the San Pasqual band and other tribes could make this the easiest and fastest of the four possible stadium sites, as well as the least expensive.

• The proximity to I-15 and SR 78, as well as the Sprinter line and transit center at the southern end of the site, make it easily accessible.

• For the Chargers, the site is much closer to Riverside, Orange and Los Angeles counties — markets that the owners have long hoped to tap more than they currently are able to do.

Cons

• It is farther from the Chargers’ fan base in San Diego and even farther from South County.

• San Diego officials might be less interested in contributing public resources for a stadium outside the city limits.

• Ancillary development needed to help finance a stadium could be more difficult to secure in Escondido than in downtown San Diego.

• Abed said Escondido officials are in negotiations with a “major national technology company” based in San Diego that is seeking significant space for expansion and is considering building outside San Diego limits to avoid the controversial “linkage fee” and other difficulties and expenses associated with building within the city. It is not clear whether there would be sufficient space on this acreage for both this company’s project and a stadium, though Abed said he thinks both could work.